Stand-up shower drain needs to be resealed, HELP!

I have a nasty leak coming from the master bathroom shower drain. I believe the leak is due to water running down the OUTSIDE of the pipe due to a bad seal on the drain itself. I planned on simply screwing out the top part of the drain, gooping it up with plumber's putty, and resealing it.

I have a problem-- how the heck do I get this drain off? There is no indentation for a tool to be able to unscrew it. I have no idea how to reseal this drain. Help!! Here's pics (we just bought this house, so don't judge the dirtiness! :D )

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Stand-up shower drain needs to be resealed, HELP!

So...there's a basement?

The first thing to do is clean that drain inside and out. There is a chance it was assembled from below and there is no way to take it apart - well just one maybe.

Cleaning the slime away from everything is the first step, thoroughly drying it is the second step, then you may be able to weld the inside and silicone the outside. I can't tell you enough that it all must be totally clean and totally dry.

Stand-up shower drain needs to be resealed, HELP!

That doesn't sound as bad as I thought. I'm a total noob (first time homeowner) so I'm really getting a crash course in just about everything. I'll update with pics from underneath the shower when I gain access. Thanks!

Stand-up shower drain needs to be resealed, HELP!

I'd go with a " WingTite" repair drain.
Ive install dozens of these and they are a great product.
Before I found these type of drains , I would have to open the ceiling or go in the crawl space to remove the original drain .http://www.wingtite.com/installation-demo/

Stand-up shower drain needs to be resealed, HELP!

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbacoreShuffle

I'd go with a " WingTite" repair drain.
Ive install dozens of these and they are a great product.
Before I found these type of drains , I would have to open the ceiling or go in the crawl space to remove the original drain .http://www.wingtite.com/installation-demo/

Slick product---however, would that be the right thing if the existing drain is a solvent welded unit?

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Stand-up shower drain needs to be resealed, HELP!

Quote:

Welding? Yikes! Surely there must be some easier way

Okay chicken...I'll explain to you how to weld the one pipe joint if that's what you decide to do. Kids, don't try this at home.

Pay close attention to what I'm saying because this is very advanced stuff with a difficulty level rising to a 10 on a 1-10 scale. Once the inside of the pipe (from the topside) or the outside of the pipe (from the bottom side) is totally clean and dry, here's what you do.

Buy a can of solvent adhesive for PVC. From the topside get on your knees in the shower, remove the can's lid and inside will be a dauber/applicator attached to the lid. Hold the can firmly in one hand as you hold the lid in the other hand (take a deep breathe and hold it) remove the lid with the attached dauber/applicator.

The dauber/applicator will have an abundance of adhesive clinging to it and dripping from it. Quickly smear the dripping adhesive inside the pipe and move the dauber around the entire circumference generously distributing the fluid adhesive onto the pipes surfaces and into the pipes juncture. Remove the dauber/applicator from the pipe and carefully insert it back into the can and tighten the lid immediately so if you spill it the can it won't pour out and ruin the shower base. Okay, now you can exhale.

Should you be able to get to the bottom-side, do the same thing down there. Take a deep breathe and hold it. Be careful not to allow the adhesive to drip on your arm and run down to your elbow while reaching above your head to make the application. That adhesive is the schitz if you get it into your arm pit-hairs.

There you are. Difficult and scary I know but you can do it. Quickly replace the lid and screw it on tightly. Exhale. Now stand back, look up at your work (and the dripping adhesive) and breathe a sigh of pride and relief while you admire what you have accomplished. You have welded the fittings. Good job.

Stand-up shower drain needs to be resealed, HELP!

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh'mike

Slick product---however, would that be the right thing if the existing drain is a solvent welded unit?

I agree. Great idea, but if you watch the video you'll notice he has to push the thing down about 1/2" and actively hold it to get it to seat against the shower pan. That drain pipe should have been trimmed. Now his trap arm has opposite grade.

Stand-up shower drain needs to be resealed, HELP!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

I agree. Great idea, but if you watch the video you'll notice he has to push the thing down about 1/2" and actively hold it to get it to seat against the shower pan. That drain pipe should have been trimmed. Now his trap arm has opposite grade.

Terrible demo video.

Maybe it's good that it showed a bad installation.

Off topic---but I used the handiest plumbing tool for the first time.

It's a cutter that fits into a drill and allows you to cut the PVC pipe out of the inside of a glued fitting.

Kind of looks like a paint mixing paddle--A round steel disk on the end slips inside the pipe --a cutting blade above that removes the pipe as it spins

No damage to the fitting--a light scraping with a knife was all it took to clean the fitting enough for a new pipe.

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